Jobs in Dumfries and Galloway

All Roads Lead to Whithorn SCIO is seeking an experienced, motivated Charity Manager to lead the next stage of growth for our newly refurbished community hall, gym, luxury bunkhouse and small portfolio of social housing. This is a rare opportunity to shape a high-quality rural community hub and asset that creates new opportunities for Whithorn and the wider Machars.

The trustees are determined to appoint the right person and can offer flexibility in how the role is structured for a candidate with the skills and track record we need. We will also consider an interim Charity Manager arrangement for the right person. Hybrid working (part hall-based, part home-based) is possible, and for candidates from further afield we can offer overnight accommodation in our on-site bunkhouse as part of the package.

About the role

The Charity Manager will have overall responsibility for strategic, financial and operational management across:

• Whithorn’s community hall and activity space
• The on-site gym
• The luxury bunkhouse
• A small number of social housing properties
• Wider community projects and development activity

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic leadership – Working with trustees to develop, implement and review the charity’s strategy, turning ideas into deliverable plans and projects.
• Funding and opportunity sourcing – Identifying opportunities, leading high-quality grant applications, developing relationships with funders and partners, and building new income streams linked to the hall, gym, bunkhouse and housing. Proven experience in grant and opportunity sourcing is essential.
• Financial oversight – Working with our external bookkeeper to review reports, approve payments, monitor budgets and cashflow, lead annual budgeting and provide clear financial updates to the Board. Oversight of VAT, HMRC and payroll through external providers.
• Governance and compliance – Ensuring policies and procedures (health & safety, safeguarding, GDPR, insurance, housing compliance) are up to date and followed.
• People and operations – Line-managing the Facilities, Gym & Bunkhouse Coordinator and a casual Community & Hospitality Support Worker, supporting volunteers and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across all sites.
• External relations – Acting as an ambassador for the charity with community members, partners, funders and visitors; promoting the facilities and the Whithorn area as a destination.

About you

You will bring:

• Proven experience in charity, community or social enterprise management.
• A strong track record of successful grant and opportunity sourcing (must-have).
• Confidence with budgets and financial information, and experience working with finance/admin support.
• Good understanding of governance, health & safety, safeguarding and GDPR.
• Experience line-managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a hands-on, problem-solving approach.

Experience in housing management, community facilities, tourism, accommodation or rural regeneration would be an advantage but is not essential.

Working arrangements

We are committed to getting the right person in post and can offer:

• Hybrid working (hall-based and home-based) by agreement.
• Consideration of an interim Charity Manager arrangement for suitably skilled candidates.
• Overnight bunkhouse accommodation for candidates travelling from further afield where needed.

Whithorn is a beautiful rural area with rich heritage, stunning landscapes and a growing reputation for cycling, walking and cultural tourism. This role is ideal for someone who wants to make a tangible difference by turning a high-quality physical resource into a vibrant, sustainable hub of community life and opportunity.

Where the role fits in our organisation

This role will develop volunteering and employability as part of our Community Transport programme. As such the role requires work across many of TSDG’s thematic areas including; Communities and Sector Support, Employability, Skills and Learning and Communications and Impact.

What You'll Do

We are looking for a colleague who is passionate about supporting third sector organisations meet the needs of their communities. Community transport is more than just moving people from A to B. It can be a mechanism for social inclusion, poverty reduction and improved wellbeing. You do not need to have knowledge of the region’s community transport sector, but you will need to be someone who thrives on; building relationships, supporting collaboration, and helping organisations grow their capacity to make a real difference in people’s lives. You will support and connect organisations working across all sectors, not just transport, including in health and wellbeing, children and families, local economies and employability.

What You’ll Do

• Build strong, positive relationships with third sector organisations and partners across Dumfries and Galloway to support improved connectivity and community-led opportunities.
• Work with partners to develop community volunteering and employability opportunities alongside our community transport sector and Strategic Development Group.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and develop collaboration between the third sector, statutory, and community voices to share learning and influence planning.
• Capture and share insights, case studies, and good practice to inform local priorities and improve access to support, including funding.
• Demonstrate and communicate the impact of community transport to a range of audiences, including raising public awareness.
• Represent TSDG and the third sector at relevant partnership and community meetings.

More about you

• You have strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with partners from different sectors and/or directly with communities.
• You will be confident to capture ideas and input from communities and partners, and working with colleagues across portfolios to develop proposals to work in a better way for people and communities
• You are able to analyse information, capture learning, and communicate it clearly through reports, presentations, or other formats.
• You are able to facilitate group discussions, workshops, or events that bring together different perspectives.
• You are skilled at organising, planning, and problem solving, and you can adapt to varied and changing priorities.
• You are self-motivated, a team player, and committed to continuous improvement.

Where the role fits in our organisation

You are responsible for oversight of the TSDG community transport programme, the priorities of which are identified by the Community Transport Strategic Development Group (CTSDG). The role requires work across many of TSDG’s thematic areas including; Communities and Sector Support, Employability, Skills and Learning and Local Economies and Enterprise.

What You'll Do

We are looking for a colleague who is passionate about connecting communities to each other, for work, learning, leisure and social needs through a high quality, integrated transport model. One key purpose is enabling our communities to live fulfilling lives. Community transport is more than just moving people from A to B. It can be a mechanism for social inclusion, poverty reduction and improved wellbeing. The community transport programme is built on partnership working, so you will ned to be someone who thrives on; building relationships, supporting collaboration, and helping organisations grow their capacity to make a real difference in people’s lives. As part of the Lead Officer Group, you will also actively participate in shaping our ways of working at TSDG.

What You’ll Do

• Continue development and delivery of a multi-year plan for the design of a regional community transport model for Dumfries and Galloway.
• Build a business case for structures and a choice of viable operating models, including the development of a region-wide social enterprise for community transport.
• Actively partner with the local authority, regional transport partnership, NHS, enterprise agency, transport partners, the third sector and communities, to facilitate integration of community transport.
• Incorporate partnership outcomes and regional transport strategies in to planning, programme design and outcomes.
• Manage project reporting, including for the CTSDG, Community Planning Partnership, SLT and Board.
• Remain up to date with national and regional policy relevant to third sector organisations working in, or aligned to, transport and community transport, community connections, health and wellbeing and the social/local economy.
• Manage the Connecting Communities Development Officer.

More about you

• You have experience in related subject matter, such as economic development, social enterprise, community infrastructure and/or transport.
• You have strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with partners from different sectors.
• You are able to analyse information, capture learning, and communicate it clearly through reports, presentations, or other formats.
• You are able to facilitate group discussions, workshops, or events that bring together different perspectives.
• You are skilled at organising, planning, and problem solving, and you can adapt to varied and changing priorities.
• You are self-motivated, a team player, and committed to continuous improvement.